Panama is a country located in Southern Latin America. It is home to the famous and historic Panama Canal. CLICK PLAY ON THE VIDEO NOW SO YOU CAN ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC WHILE YOU READ ABOUT THIS BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY. Panama is famed for its hats as well. However, the hats were actually originally made in Ecuador and sold in Panama.
PEOPLE
There are currently about 3,400,000 people living in Panama as of May 2010. The main spoken language is Spanish. However, the second language is English. English is spoken by about 8% of people in Panama as a second language. Other second languages include French and Arabic. The culture is mostly Spanish and Caribbean. 50.1% of the population, as recorded in 2000, was Mestizo. The two largest minorities were African and Mulattos. The rest of the population was made up of Europeans (8.6%), Ameridians (6.7%), Asians (5.5%), and 7.1% other races.
The main religion of Panama is Roman Catholicism, which is practiced by about 80% of the population. However, citizens are allowed to practice any religion they choose, although Catholicism is recognized by Panama's constitution. The literacy rate is 93.4% as of 2009, and Panama is the 80th most literate country in the world.
ECONOMY
Though Panama's economy has boomed due to trade and use of the Panama Canal, they unfortunately had over a third of the population living in poverty as of 2008, though their unemployment rate was only 7% as of December 2010. Panama's economy is considered one of the fastest growing economies in all of Latin America.
The average GDP per capita income in 2009 was $11,900 USD a year. The exchange rate to the US dollar is 1.01878 Panamanian Balboa/$1 US dollar. The currency in Panama is the balboa.
GOVERNMENT
Panama's government is a constitutional democracy. Panama won its independence on November 3 in 1903. They have a president, vice president, and a national assembly as the legislative branch of the government. The only judicial branch is the Supreme Court. Once citizens reach 18, they are allowed to vote. Panama has nine provinces and five indigenous territories.
CUISINE
EMPANADAS:* 5 cups flour (unsifted)
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup shortening (Crisco preferred)
1 cup milk
Mix flour, salt, and baking powder together in a bowl. Cut in shortening until it resembles crumbly meal. Gradually sprinkle in milk stirring until dough clings together. Knead 10 times. Let rest 1/2 hour.
The typical cuisine in Panama is Mexican-type dishes, often with spicy flavors and lots of rice and bean dishes.
TRAVEL
Popular tourist attractions and activities in Panama include the Panama Canal, which has a rich history and is truly a sight to see, and Panamá Viejo, the historic district of Panama City. Many tourists also go fishing in the Panama Canal, and ride on the Panama Canal Railway. Tourists who wish to take Spanish can do so at the Spanish Panama School.
Itinerary:
If you're someone with cash to burn, but not enough cash to buy a private jet with, this itinerary is for you. 9:00 AM: Wake up
.
10:00 AM: For a beautiful start to the morning, head over to Darien National Park and go for a beautiful cruise on the river in a motorized canoe for a couple hours 12:00 PM: Head to gourmet cafe Marina Marina for a lovely lunch for only $12. It is run by a Toronto trained owner, and the food is delicious! Address: Plaza Pacifica, local 11-1 (al lado del Super 99) Panama City Punta Paci. 1:00 PM: Walk around the historic Panamá Viejo. The architecture is gorgeous, and time is sure to fly by. 3:00 PM: Visit Reprosa and see Panama's ancient culture in gold and silver. Try sandblasting - this fun tour is sure to be a blast! 4:30 PM: Visit the historic and busy Panama Canal and see the ships rising through the fascinating and scientifically engineered lock system. 5:30 PM: Head to dinner at Pangea Panama for a colonial-type dinner with international cuisine. Address: Calle Alberto Navarro, Casa 45-A 6:30 PM: Go to sleep.
OTHER
Víctor de la Guardia y Ayala was the first Panamanian poet. He was the first poet in Panama who was actually born in Panama. Another famous person from Panama is Rod Carew, who played major league baseball. He was born to a Panamanian mother in Panama in 1945.
The Panama Canal
Panama hats are actually from Ecuador, giving it a fake claim to fame!
Panama is a country located in Southern Latin America. It is home to the famous and historic Panama Canal. CLICK PLAY ON THE VIDEO NOW SO YOU CAN ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC WHILE YOU READ ABOUT THIS BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY. Panama is famed for its hats as well. However, the hats were actually originally made in Ecuador and sold in Panama.
PEOPLE
There are currently about 3,400,000 people living in Panama as of May 2010. The main spoken language is Spanish. However, the second language is English. English is spoken by about 8% of people in Panama as a second language. Other second languages include French and Arabic. The culture is mostly Spanish and Caribbean. 50.1% of the population, as recorded in 2000, was Mestizo. The two largest minorities were African and Mulattos. The rest of the population was made up of Europeans (8.6%), Ameridians (6.7%), Asians (5.5%), and 7.1% other races.
The main religion of Panama is Roman Catholicism, which is practiced by about 80% of the population. However, citizens are allowed to practice any religion they choose, although Catholicism is recognized by Panama's constitution. The literacy rate is 93.4% as of 2009, and Panama is the 80th most literate country in the world.
ECONOMY
Though Panama's economy has boomed due to trade and use of the Panama Canal, they unfortunately had over a third of the population living in poverty as of 2008, though their unemployment rate was only 7% as of December 2010. Panama's economy is considered one of the fastest growing economies in all of Latin America.
The average GDP per capita income in 2009 was $11,900 USD a year. The exchange rate to the US dollar is 1.01878 Panamanian Balboa/$1 US dollar. The currency in Panama is the balboa.
GOVERNMENT
Panama's government is a constitutional democracy. Panama won its independence on November 3 in 1903. They have a president, vice president, and a national assembly as the legislative branch of the government. The only judicial branch is the Supreme Court. Once citizens reach 18, they are allowed to vote. Panama has nine provinces and five indigenous territories.
CUISINE
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 cup shortening (Crisco preferred)
- 1 cup milk
Mix flour, salt, and baking powder together in a bowl. Cut in shortening until it resembles crumbly meal. Gradually sprinkle in milk stirring until dough clings together. Knead 10 times. Let rest 1/2 hour.The typical cuisine in Panama is Mexican-type dishes, often with spicy flavors and lots of rice and bean dishes.
TRAVEL
Popular tourist attractions and activities in Panama include the Panama Canal, which has a rich history and is truly a sight to see, and Panamá Viejo, the historic district of Panama City. Many tourists also go fishing in the Panama Canal, and ride on the Panama Canal Railway. Tourists who wish to take Spanish can do so at the Spanish Panama School.
Itinerary:
If you're someone with cash to burn, but not enough cash to buy a private jet with, this itinerary is for you.
9:00 AM: Wake up
.
10:00 AM: For a beautiful start to the morning, head over to Darien National Park and go for a beautiful cruise on the river in a motorized canoe for a couple hours
12:00 PM: Head to gourmet cafe Marina Marina for a lovely lunch for only $12. It is run by a Toronto trained owner, and the food is delicious! Address: Plaza Pacifica, local 11-1 (al lado del Super 99) Panama City Punta Paci.
1:00 PM: Walk around the historic Panamá Viejo. The architecture is gorgeous, and time is sure to fly by.
3:00 PM: Visit Reprosa and see Panama's ancient culture in gold and silver. Try sandblasting - this fun tour is sure to be a blast!
4:30 PM: Visit the historic and busy Panama Canal and see the ships rising through the fascinating and scientifically engineered lock system.
5:30 PM: Head to dinner at Pangea Panama for a colonial-type dinner with international cuisine. Address: Calle Alberto Navarro, Casa 45-A
6:30 PM: Go to sleep.
OTHER
Víctor de la Guardia y Ayala was the first Panamanian poet. He was the first poet in Panama who was actually born in Panama. Another famous person from Panama is Rod Carew, who played major league baseball. He was born to a Panamanian mother in Panama in 1945.
Panama hats are actually from Ecuador, giving it a fake claim to fame!
References:
Sources:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/central-america/panama/map_of_panama.jpg
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/flags/large/pm-lgflag.gif
http://www.tinytravelsite.com/wp-content/uploads/panama.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_literacy_rate
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2030.htm
http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic
http://www.mapsofworld.com/panama/society-and-culture/religion.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pm.html
http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Panama.htm
http://www.success-and-culture.net/articles/percapitaincome.shtml
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-6869625-panama_city_things_to_do-i
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g294480-Activities-Panama_City.html
http://www.10best.com/destinations/panama/panama-city/convention-center/restaurants/marina-marina/
http://panamaliving.com/recipes.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panamanian_literature
http://www.ehow.com/about_4586502_famous-people-panama.html
Images:
http://www.indybay.org/uploads/2009/07/01/panama_canal_03.jpg
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